Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/103

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ACT II.]
LADY INGER OF ÖSTRAT.
55

Jens Bielke.

May be so. But what am I to do now? Count Sture is in Östråt, you say. Ay, but how does that profit me? Be sure Lady Inger Gyldenlöve has as many hiding-places as the fox, and more than one outlet to them. You and I, alone, may go snuffing about here as long as we please. I would the devil had the whole affair!

Nils Lykke.

Well, then, my friend—if you like not the turn your errand has taken, you have but to leave the field to me.

Jens Bielke.

To you? What will you do?

Nils Lykke.

Caution and cunning may in this matter prove of more avail than force of arms.—And to say truth, Captain Jens Bielke—something of the sort has been in my mind ever since we met in Trondhiem yesterday.

Jens Bielke.

Was that why you persuaded me to leave the men-at-arms?

Nils Lykke.

Both your purpose at Östråt and mine could best be served without them; and so——